Burwood Presbyterian Church

Introduction: - How much harm can one person do? (Whatever happened to the Great Awakening?) 1. That was then, this is now (v1-3). 2. Eliashib goes “soft” on sin (v4-9). 3. What Nehemiah found (v10-29). a. God’s Servants were Neglected (v10-14). b. God’s Sabbaths were Ignored (v15-22). c. God’s Marriage Standards were Broken (v23-29). 4. ‘Remember me with favour, O my God.’ (v30-31) Conclusion: A good and godly leader finds a way through the obstacles of life – with God’s help and with hard work. - Eliashib the High Priest (a very bad leader): - Forgot his first love - Went soft on sin - Chose his friends badly - Compromised on God’s Word - Gave power to the ungodly. - Nehemiah (a great and godly leader): - Prayerful, courageous, passionate for the truth - Took the hard decisions where necessary - Persevered in doing what is right - Loved God and cared for the people.